The State - News from March 24, 1986

An angry federal judge in San Francisco has sentenced four members of a $19-million government check theft ring to prison terms of up to 10 years, telling them, “You have caused a lot of harm to people.” All five were former postal employees who took bags or trays filled with checks and sold them for a fixed amount regardless of the amount of the check to businesses in the Philippines, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, London, Switzerland and West Germany. U.S. District Judge Sam Conti expressed anger at the disruption and harm the men had caused people who depend on government checks for Social Security, welfare or medical payments. “People who depend on these checks usually need them a week before they arrive,” Conti said. Michael Levias, 29, Richmond, was sentenced to 10 years in prison and a $15,000 fine; Montano Demaranan, 47, Daly City, nine years and a $4,000 fine; Edgardo Aure, 50, Alameda, nine years and a $12,000 fine, and Reynaldo Cuevas, seven years and a $10,000 fine.